A Wee Break!

I'll be across the bay in San Francisco all week for the Romance Writers of America's National Conference. If you are in the area make sure to pop by the literacy signing on Wednesday at the Marriott (details here) where I--along with hundreds of other romance authors--will be signing books for charity. I'll be back next week with some fun pictures, but until then to get everyone in the mood . . .

They're Here . . .

Ready for more strapping lads in plaid? I'm thrilled to be able to share my new covers with you! Pop on over to my website to check 'em out and let me know what you think. Sigh, so many muscles, so little time.

Talking it out

One thing I love most about writing is that there is no right answer. Give ten people the same scenario and they'll create ten very different stories. My friend and fellow Diva Candice Hern is taking this point to heart--she and three other writers are coming out with a novella where they've each written a story with the same premise called It Happened One Night. You can read the premise here. Occasionally, however, for yours-over-analyzing-truly this no right answer benefit can present a problem: too many options.

This happened to me today. The "process" for all writers is different. Over each book I've written my process gets a little more refined as I realize what works for me. I started out writing "seat of the pants" but I quickly learned that this didn't really work for me. I don't use a detailed outline, but I like to have a pretty good road map of where I'm going. This usually takes the form of a good working synopsis.

But every once in a while I'll get stuck. Usually because I have too many options and I'm trying to figure out which is the "best," meaning which makes sense for the characters at that point of the story and which is going to give me the most emotional bang.

So what do I do? Pick up the phone and call one of my critique partners. Today it was Bella Andre who answered the call (while on vacation no less!) Instead of sitting beside the lake on her Adirondack chair in upstate NY she was patiently listening to my jumble of different plot points for a book she hasn't even read yet. But here's the magical thing (other than Bella :)): for me just the simple act of verbalizing the options and talking through the different scenarios usually frees me up. It worked today, I was setting speed records after getting off the phone.

Isn't it funny how "just talking about it" helps. Not just in writing, but in life. Just the process of getting it off your chest can usually make you feel better.

And can I just give a huge thanks to Bella? Thank you, Bella!

Do you find talking things out helps you as well? Who answers your call when you are in need? If you are a writer how do you deal with little road blocks?

The Fourth of July!

Where has the year gone? Seriously. I think I've been locked in my writing cave a little too long. :) But the Fourth will be a busy day for us. We have a local parade that is a pretty big deal in our small town and my daughter will be performing in it (Irish Dancing). All the dancers are going to congregate at our house--which is basically on the parade route--early in the morning and then later that evening we have a huge block party. Oh yea, in the middle of the day after the parade we go to a swim party. Very busy.

What do you have planned? Quiet day of relaxing or lots of picnics and fireworks? (I'll let you in on a little secret about me...I'm kind of a fireworks scrooge.)

I'm blogging over at the Divas on Thursday about the American Revolutionary War period and romances--so pop on over and chime in.